Packaging apparatus



Aug. 10, 1965 D. R. LEE

PACKAGING APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 9, 1962 INVENTOR. flawflfl lee Aug. 10, 1965 D. R. LEE $199,263

PACKAGING APPARATUS Filed April 9, 1962 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 10, 1965 D. R. LEE 99,263

PACKAGING APPARATUS Filed April 9, 1962 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 10, 1965 D. R. LEE 3,199,263

PACKAGING APPARATUS Filed April 9, 1962 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Ill"lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 1/ III/ Aug. 10, 1965 D. R. LEE

mcxaeme APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed April 9, 1962 Aug. 10, 1965 n. R. LEE

PACKAGING APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed April 9. 1962 United States Patent 0 Filed 9, 1962, Ser. No. IStEJlZZ 18 (6i. 53-l33} This invention relates to apparatus for packaging articles for display and/ or sale and, in particular, to a package of the type comprising a transparent receptacle in the form of a cup or blister attached to a supporting card.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide apparatus for assembling and joining the component parts of a package of the foregoing hind together with an article or articles to be packaged to form a finished package; to provide apparatus which is adapted with minor adjust. eat to assemble component parts for packages of different size and shape; to provide apparatus with improved feeding means for picking blister cups one at a time from a stack of such cups; to provide apparatus with improved folding means; and to provide apparatus which is reli ble and efiicient.

As herein iilustrtted, the apparatus comprises an en less conveyor adapted to be driven intermittently step-b b step to move a plurality of supports relative to a plurality of working stations at which successive operations are performed; of transferring cards one at a time from a stack of cards to the conveyor; transferring blisters one at a time from a stack of blisters to the cards on the conveyor; placing an article or articles to be packaged in the blister receptacles; applying adhesive to portions of the cards preparatory to folding to close the open sides of the blisters; folding the cards; holding the folded portions together for a sufficient length of time to allow the adhesive to set; and then lifting the finished packages from the conveyor and moving them to a place of discharge. The conveyor comprises a plurality of spaced carriers, each of which is adapted to support a card with the portion containing the blister-receiving opening resting thereon and with the remainder projectin" outwardly therefrom. Adapters are provided for supporting different kinds of cards on the carriers. The card transfer means comprises a pair of suction cups supported for movement between a card magazine supported above the carriers to pull the lowermost card from the magazine and deposit it on the carrier subjacent thereto. The blister transfer comprises a suction device supported for movement from the lower end of the magazine, situated above the carrier, wi which the blisters are stacked open side down, downwardly into the blisterreceiving opening in the card resting on the carrier subjacent thereto. The suction device of the blisterfeeding means comprises a suction foot desi ned to enter the lowermost blister and, by contact with the walls, to pull the latter inwardly elative to each other thereby to release the cup from the succeeding cup. The adhesive applicator comprises a drum provided with raised lands to apply adhesive to such portions of the outwardly projecting portion of the card that, when folded, the portions will be secured at their edges marginally of the blister and includes a pickup roll for transferring adhesive from a container to the lands and a doctor roll for maintaining a uniform coating of adhesive. The folding means comprises a creasing plate disposed above the path of movement of the carriers beneath which the portions of the card resting on the carriers move, a folding arm operable to fold the projecting portion of the card upwardly and wipe it inwardly over the edge of the creasing plate, and a hold-down for maintaining the partially folded portion of the card inclined inwardly above the creasing plate but not in contact therewith. A folding throat next to the folding means operates to press the inclined portion down against the portion resting on the carrier preparatory to delivering it to the pressure-applying means. The pressure-applying means comprises a plurality of pressure-applying plates adapted to apply pressure to three folded card assemblies at a time and to hold the portions of the assemblies intimately engaged for a sufficient length of time to permit the adhesive to set. The ejector comprises a suction cup supported above the path of movement of the carriers for movement from a position above the carrier to a position laterally thereof.

Optionally, the applicator station may be replaced by a preheating station operable to condition, by heating, a card precoated with an adhesive, or a card comprised of a material which may be activated by heat preparatory to effecting adhesion of the folded assembly at the pressure-applying station. To effect complete adhesion heat will also be applied at the pressure-applying station by neating elements incorporated in the pressure-applying plates.

The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

EEG. 1 is a plan View of the apparatus showing the various operating stations and a conveyor for moving the parts to be assembled successively from one station to the next;

FIG 2 is a vertical section taken on the line Z-2 of FIG. 1 at the first station in the course of the assembly wherein a blank is placed on a carrier;

FIG. 2:1 is a plan view of an adapter with a card which forms one component of the package resting thereon;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 3-45 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 44 of FIG. 1 at the second station wherein blister cups are applied to the blank;

FIG. 4a is a perspective view of a blister which forms another component of the package;

FIG. 4b is a section taken transversely of a stack of blisters;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section taken on the line 5-5 of PEG. 4;

'PIG. 6 is an elevation of the picker foot to larger scale;

FIG. '7 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a vertical section taken on the line 88 of FIG. 1 at the station for applying adhesive to the outwardly projecting portion of the card preparatory to folds;

PEG. 8a is a plan view of a card with a blister assembled therewith, the latter containing an item which is to be sealed within the package, and showing adhesive applied marginally to the outwardly projecting portion of the card;

FIG. 8b is an elevation of a preheating station which may be substituted for the adhesive-applying station;

PEG. 9 is a vertical section taken on the line 99 of FIG. 8, showing the adhesive-applying roll and the means for supplying the surface of the roll with adhesive;

PEG. 10 is a fragmentary vertical section, to much larger scale, of the applicator drum;

Fl". 11 is a vertical section taken on the line 1l11 of FIG. 1 at the folding station, showing the position of the folder preparatory to folding;

FIG. 12 is a section corresponding to FIG. 11, showing an intermediate step in the folding operation and the final step in dotted lines;

FIG. 13 is an elevation taken on the line l3l3 of HG. 11;

v 3 FIG. 14 is an elevation of the folding station and a portion of a succeeding station for applying pressure to unite the portions, showing a guide intermediate the stations for effecting transfer of the partially folded card from the folding station to the pressure station;

FIG. 14a is a perspective of a completed package;

FIG. 15 is a vertical section taken at the pressing sta- I tion on the line 1515 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 is an elevation taken on the line 16-16 of FIG. 15; FIG. 16a is a bottom plying plates; 7

FIG. 16b is an elevation of a pressure-applying plate containing a heating element;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of the mechanism for discharging the finished package; and

FIG. 18 is an elevation of the discharging mechanism.

Referring to the drawings (FIG. 1), the apparatus comprises a horizontally disposed, elongate, substantially rectangular bed which supports, adjacent its opposite ends, vertically disposed shafts 1212 to which are fixed sprockets 1414. An endless chain 16, entrained about the sprockets, provides means for moving a plurality of carriers 18 secured thereto along the upper surface of the bed 10 relative to a plurality of stations designed to assemble a blister cup with a card; to permit loading the blister with an article to be enclosed thereby; to apply adhesive to sutable areas of the card; to fold the card to cover the open side of the blister; to hold the folded parts together until the adhesive sets; and then eject the finished article.

The bed 10 is supported above the floor on suitable legs and the means for effecting rotation of the sprockets 1414 in intermittent fashion so as to move the carriers 18 successively from station-to-station comprises a motor M and clutch CL mounted below the bed, together with suitable driving connections for effecting operation of instrumentalities situated at the several stations for performing the various operations referred to above. The carriers 18 are in the form of substantially rectangular carts 20 (FIG. 2), each ofwhich is provided with four wheels 22 which rest on the upper surface of the bed 10. Each cart is connected to a link of the chain by a pin 24 fixed to a link so as to project upwardly through a hole in a bracket 26 fixed to the inner side of the cart. An adapter plate 28 is disopsed on each cart designed especially for the package being assembled. By the simple expedient of replacing an adapter plate of one kind for another, the apparatus can be set up for assembling packages of different size and shape.

For the purpose of illustration, but without limitation,

view of one of the pressure-ap- -the machine illustrated herein is provided with means for inserting an elongate blister cup into an opening at one side of a card scored intermediate its edges for folding; for applying adhesive to the card at the other side of the fold line, after the blister has been filled with an article or articles to be packaged therein; and for then folding the card on the fold line and uniting the folded portions. As shown in FIG. 2a the card C is substantially rectangular in configuration, divided intermediate its edges by a fold line m, for example, by embossing or scoring, and has at one side of the fold line an elongate narrow opening it close to and parallel to the fold line. It should be understood that the dimensions of the opening may be varied and its position changed according to the purpose for which the package is designed without departing from the spirit of the invention in any respect.

The adapter 28 for the card is provided with a long narrow slot 30 corresponding in length and width to the opening h in the card and the card is placed on the surface of the adapter in a position such that the portion containing the opening h, at the one side of the fold line m, rests on the adapter with the opening coinciding with the slot 30 and the portion at the other side of the fold line projecting outwardly from the adapter and supported 4 I by a shelf 32 which extends along the outer side of the bed. Gauge blocks 31 and 33 (FIG. 2a), secured to the adapter for engagement of the inner and rear edges of the cards, hold the cards in place. Additional means may optionally be provided for engagement with the upper surfaces of the cards to hold them down on the adapters.

The cards (3 are initially placed on the adapter plates 28 at a card-feeding station CF (FIG. 1). At the station CF there is a magazine 34 (FIG. 2), substantially rectangular in cross-section, which is supported in an upright, outwardly inclined position by spaced parallel bars 3636 disposed transversely of the bed, the ends of which are fastened to uprights38 and 40. The lower end of the magazine has inwardly projecting fingers 42 at its ends and sides which support the lowermost card of a stack of cards and thus retain the stack in place in the magazine. The cards are moved one at a time by means of a picker 44 (FIGS. 2 and 3), which pulls the lower-:

' upper ends of spaced parallel tubes 484-48, the latter being supported in blocks Stl5tb secured to the forward ends of arms 52-52. The rear ends of the arms 52.-52 are pivotally supported on a horizontally disposed shaft 54 mounted in bearings 56-56 fastened to the bed 19, outwardly of the path of movement of the carriers. A rod 57 is fastened to the arms 522 intermediate their ends provides a bearing for one end of a pitman 58, the opposite end of which is connected by a pin so to an eccentric 62 fastened to a drive shaft 64. R0- tation of the drive shaft 64 through the eccentric 62 will raise and lower the arms 5"2 from a position in which the suction cups have contact with the underside of the lowermost card in the magazine to a position below the surface ofthe adapter 28. The suction cups are evacuated through the tubes 4848, by connection to a line 49 leading to a vacuum pump 66. A valve 68 provides for connecting and disconnecting the pipe 4% to the vacuum pump and a cam 70', mounted on the shaft 64, operates the valve 68 so as to apply the vacuum to the cups when the arms 52-52 raise the cups into engagement with the cards and to maintain the vacuum until the arms lower the card into engagement with the upper surface of the adapter plate whereupon it disconnects the pipe 49 from the pump so that the vacuum cups release the card.

The card disposed on the adapter plate 23 is now moved along through an idle position to a station for applying the blisters to the cards, shown at BF in FIG. 1. At the station BF (FIG. 4), there is a magazine 72 of substantially rectangular configuration supported in an inclined position, within which there is stacked in nested relation a plurality of blisters B, one of which is shown in perspective in FIG. 401. Each blister, as shown herein, has a semicylindnical body portion '7 and marginal flanges 76 and they are stacked one upon another as illustrated in transverse section in FIG. 4b. At the lower end of the magazine 72 there are inwardly projecting fingers 78 at the ends and sides for supporting the blisters with their open sides facing downwardly and with the lowermost blister resting on the fingers 78. A picker 80 (FIG. 6) is provided for removing the lowermost blister from the magazine, reversing its position and inserting the body portion through the opening it in the card resting on the adapter plate so that the flange engages the card. The picker 8%) comprises an elongate foot 82 which has a cross-section (FIG. 7) corresponding substantially to the cross-section of the blister and a length equalling that of the length of the blister so that it will fit into the open side of the lowermost blister when raised into engagement with the lower end of the magazine. The foot 32 is provided along its lower or soie edge with a longitudinally extending groove Sd which is connected midway between its ends to a vertical passage The passage 3-6 is connected, as i hereinafter, to the vacuum pump In order to remove the blisters one from another effectively the foot has midway between its ends, at opposite sides, semicircular cavities which are in communication with the groove 8 3. The cavities o3- erate when the foot is thrust into the blister to apply the vacuum to the Walls of the blister as well as the bottom, in such fashion as to pull th n inwardly toward each other and to disengage them from the walls of the succeding blister. Inward bowing of the Walls ass s in freeing the blisters one from the nex which stick to each other due to the intimacy of contact of their surfaces. it is to be understood that this condition exists regardless of the geometric shape of the blisters,

The shape of the foot will, of course, be constructed to correspond to that or the blister and the number and position of the recesses for applying suction to the Wa ls of the cups may be varied according to the character of the blister.

The foot is moved from the magazine downwardly toward the card resting on the adapter 28 subjacent thereto, to thrust the blister into the opening it in the card and, during such movement, its position is reversed so that the body portion F 3 passes through the opening 72 in the card into he slot 3%) in the adapter and the open side of the bliste es upwardly. The flange 76 at the margin of the on e of the blister supports it in the opening in card. .flove'rent of the foot is eltected by spaced parallel arrns '19l (FIGS. 4 and 5) which are pivoted at their outer ends on a pin 1 2 fixed in bearings A rod 9-5 is rotatably mounted between the forward ends of the arms n- =2 and has fixed intermediate its ends, so as to extend radially therefrom, a leg 93 to which a plate 6] is fixed. The foot is fixed to the plate 33, which is dctacnably attached to t e plate 8?, so that suctic-n feet of different kind may e substituted one for another. Pass-ages 192 164- in the plate 38, log 98 and rod espectively, provide for connecting the foot 82 to the vacuum sump. The rod $6 has fixed near each end a gear The gears lti'd mesh With gears l'231'2 pivotally supported on the arms 9i' "l, rear- Wardly or" the gears 1% on pins ill. The pins have fastened to there arrns 112-112 which carry followers iaelld engaged Within earn slots l le1l6 formed in lvlirivvay etWeen the forward and rear the arms 3 1 9*; here is a cross-rod to which no end of a pitrnan is pivotally connected, the other ena being connected eventrically to a disc 12 i fixed to the shaft G l. As thus constructed, movement of the arms i lfi etv/een tie magazine and the carrier through the medium of the gears and the cam slots will effect a transfer of the foot from the mags adapter and will, at the some time, evcrse its position. A cam 7 on the shaft 5d operates a valve (not shown) to connect and disconnect the foot to and from the vacuum pump.

After the blister has been inserted through the openin,, in the card the card and blister travel from the statron BF, step-byten, through a series of idle positions toward the left .111. 1) and around the end to a station AA for any-lying adhesive to the outwardly extending portion of the card. A loading apron 125 extends along the idle portion of across the end of the bed, and along the opposite side up to the adhesive-appyling station. The loading apron provides a loading station LS for one or more persons to stand close to the path or movement of the carriers for the purpose of placing articles in the blisters. A guide bar 127 is supoorted in spaced parallel relation to the path of movement for engagernent with the flanges id at the inner sides of the blisters to hold the blisters down on the cards. The bar is supported for adjustment transversely with res met to the carriers, so as to be useful for packages having blisters located at different positions.

ti At the adhesive-applying station AA (FIGS. 8, 9 and 10}, an applicator drum 13% and a supporting roller 1132 re mounted outwardly of the path of movement of the carriers for engagement With the upper and lower surfaces of the outwardly projecting portions of the cards. The applicator drum 13% is supported for rotation above the supporting roller 132 on a horizontal shaft l2d jourruled in sucports 13 -1l36 and the supporting roller 232 is supported for rotation on a shaft 154 also journaled in the supcorts lilo-J35. The drum 113i and roller 132 are dr n in clockwise and counterclockwise directions espectively, by meshing gears 138 and 14! on the repe tive shafts. The shaft 128 has a sprocket 141 fixed to it and the latter is driven through a chain 143 (FIG. 1) entrained about it and a sprocket M5, the latter being to a shaft M7, [he shaft 1 5? has fixed to it a t 1 1 2 which drives a sprocket 146 by Way of a The sprocket I146 is fixed to a shaft 143 and is driven by beveled gears 35d and 152, the latter 3 fixed to one of the shafts 32. The applicator drum 13%? has raised lands 154 on its suriace so arranged as to apply adhesive to the areas of the card shown in FIG. 8a, marked ax and cry which, respectively, are situated at the outer edge and ends of the outwardly projecting position of the card and at a position symmetrically opposite the opening it in the portion of the card containing the openin Adhesive is sup- 3 d 1 Lie to the anpli-cator drum 235i (FIG. 9) from a tray containing liquid adhesive by Way of a pickup roll 151%, ti n of which has contact With the surfaces of I on the drum 13d and another portion of hich dips into the adhesive in the tray. A doctor roll maintains a uniform coating on the pick-up roll 15' e roller L555 contains grooves 133 opposite the lands so as to prevent adhesive being applied to the sun face of the roller 15:? in the absence of a card.

For convenience, ti e drum is made up of a rigid frame including end members 131-1351 about which a metal shoe is clamped. To eilect clamping the adjacent ends of the shoe have fastened thereto clamping blocks 135 and (FIG. 16). The block interlocks With a block fixed to the frame. A locking lever Ti ill is pivotally mounted on each end member 131 with its lower end 'nterengaged with an end of the clamping block 137 screws E 53- are mounted opposite the levers operable to force the lower ends of the levers against he clamping block 1337 thereby to secure the shoe 333 place. This construction provides an easy Way of co. aging the applicator in accordance with the character of he work by disrn unting th shoe 133 and replacing it With one having d 'ierent lands for applying adhesive to different areas and/or at d' 'erent positions on cards. The lands are comprised of sponge rubber or the like, fastened to the surface of the shoe $.33 and, as shown, there are three sets of lands dist "only about the peripheral surface of the shoe so that one turn of the drum will apgviy adhesive to three cards in succession.

The adhesive-applying station may be replaced by a to station PS, as will subseq- '3 appear.

polied the adhesivecoated curd moves from the adhesive-appl station AA to a first folding station FF (FIGS. 11, 12 and t At the firs iolding station a creasing t to ice is mounted transve iy of the path move wt of the carriers, parallel to the upper surface of the adapter at the station, with its inner edge '79 inclined downwardly and col ciding substantially with the other edge of the adapter but spaced therefrom sufiiciently to permit the card resting on the adapter to move freely beneath it as the carrier moves the card to this station. A folding device 13 2 is mounted outwardly of the carrier on a horizontal shaft iid, the latter being journaled between the upper ends of a pair of supporting posts 176. The folding device comprises a pair of angle arms l7--l73 journaled on the shaft 174. Each arm has a limb 180 extends inagainst the edge of the creasing plate 168, and then wipes it inwardly to the inclined position shown in FIG. 12. Pivotal movement of the folding device 172 is effected by an arm 186 fixed to one end of the shaft 174, a pitman 188 and an eccentric 19d fixed to'a shaft 192. he card is creased and partially folded by movement or" the folding device 172 in a clockwise direction about the axis of the shaft 174. As the folding device is returned to its initial position the partially folded portion of the card is further folded toward the plate 168, but not into contact therewith, by a flexible hold-down blade 1% fastened to the angle arms above the axis of the shaft 174 which moves down into engagement with the card as the limbs 18% are retracted. The distal edge of the hold-down blade is rolled to provide a smooth surface for contact with the card. At this point, the portion of the card containing the blister is below the creasing plate and the inclined portion of the card to which the adhesive has been applied is situated above the creasing plate and at an angle thereto so that movement of the card relative to the creasing plate will not smear or rub off the ad hesive.

The partially folded card assembly is now moved to a second folding station SF (FIG. 1) at which there is a throat plate 196 overlying the path of movement of the carriers, the undersurface of which slopes transversely from a position above the path of movement of the carriers at the inner side, to a position close to the carriers at the outer side and longitudinally from a position at least as high as the inclined portion of the card at the first folding station, to a position closely parallel to the top of the carrier. The compound inclination of the throat portion operates to receive the partially folded portion of the card from the first folding station and fold it downwardly into engagement with the portion resting on the carrier preparatory to movement to the next station PA for applying pressure and holding the portions together until the adhesive sets.

At the pressure-applying station PA, which extends through three positions, the completely folded card emerging from the second folding station SF (FIG. 14) is carried beneath pressure-applying plates 1% (FIGS. 15 and 16), supported at the lower side of a pressureapplying platen 200 in spaced parallel relation to the path of movement of the carriers by a plurality of bolts 202. The bolts 202 have heads 2% engaged with the upper side of the pressure-applying platen and are threaded into blocks 266 fastened to the upper sides of the plates 198. Coil springs 208 yieldably hold the plates 198 spaced from the platen 200. Each plate, as shown in FIG. 16a, has strips 199 of cushion material, such as sponge rubber, applied to its lower face, corresponding in configuration to the lands 159 on the adhesive-applying drum so as to apply pressure to the adhesive coated portions of the folded assembly. Relatively high pressure may thus be applied without requiring an unduly high overall pressure. The platen 260 has fixed to its opposite sides pairs of pins 2110-21!) which extend through vertical slots 212212 in supporting uprights 214214 and is held away from the carriers by springs 2f62,16, the lower ends of which are fastened to the pins 21tl-2l0 and the upper ends of which are fastened to pins 218218, the latter, in turn, being fastened to the uprights 214214. The platen th is adapted to be of radiant or induction coils.

pressed downwardly so as to force the pressure plates 193 against the cards during each stationary interval as the carriers are stepped along and then to be raised to permit the cards to move to the next position.- To this end, cam followers 22% 220 are mounted on the upper side of the platen and cams 222-222 are mounted above themon shafts 224 2.24. The cams 222 have circular portions 225 which, when in engagement with the fol: lowers 22d, allow the platen to be raised out of engagement with the carriers by the springs 21d and operating portions of greater radius which, when brought into engagement with the followers 22%), depress the platen 2th) and hence the pressure-applying plates 1% into engagement with the cards on the carriers. The cams 222 are rotated inctimed relation with the intermittent moveof the carrier by chains 22% entrained about sprockets 23d fived to the shaft 224 and sprockets 232 mounted on a shaft 233 journaled between supports 234-234. The shaft 233 is driven by a sprocket 232. fixed thereto and a chain and sprocket 23b fixed to a shaftr239.

' Instead of applying adhesive to the cards, as heretofore described, cards precoated with anactivatable adhesive,

or cardscomprised of a material which is itself activatable may be employed. If precoated or activatable cards are employed, the adhesive-applying station is replaced by a preheating station PS (1 16. 8b) which comprises an oven 13% through which the carriers pass for preheating the cards preparatory to final activation at the pressure-applying station. Thus, the oven may have means 154a for applying radiant or inductive heating to the cards to initiate activation of the precoating of adhesive or of the substance of the card itself. Final activation for effecting adhesion is completed at the pressure-applying station by incorporating in the plates 1% means 198a in the form Folding intermediate the preheating station and the pressureapplying station is accomplished as heretofore related.

After passing through the pressure-applying station PA the finished package, one of which is shown in FIG. 14a, is moved around the end of the bed, as shown in FIG. 1, to a station D for discharge. The mechanism for effecting such discharge comprises an arm 24d pivoted for swinging movement about a vertical axis above and parallel to the bed 1%. The arm has fixed to it a suction cup 242 adapted to be brought into engagement with the finished package p, while the latter is resting on the adapter plate, lift it upwardly therefrom to clear the blister of the opening 3% in the adapter plate and then to swing the package off of the bed in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIGS. 1 and 17. The arm 24% is fixed to a block 24 which, in turn, is fastened to a rod 246 mounted for vertical movement in bearings Zed-248 supported by a bearing bracket 25d fast to the bed. A cam plate 252 is fixed between the, bearings 243248 on the bearing bracket 25% and -a follower 254, rotatably fixed to the block 244, engages the cam 252. A spring 256, attached at one end to the arm 24%) and at the other end to the frame, holds the follower 254 engaged with the cam plate 252., By moving the rod 246 vertically, the follower and cam will effect movement of the suction cup into engagement with the package, lift it off the adapter plate and swing it through the angle necessary to transfer it to a place of discharge. Vertical movement of the rod 246 is effected by a link 258 connected at one end to the lower end of the rod 246 and at its opposite end to the lower end of a link 259. The upper end of the link 259 is connected to'an arm 261. The link 25% is pivotally supported intermediate its ends on a post 26%. The arm 261 is secured to a shaft 263 and hence, by rotation of the shaft 263, the link 259 will rock the link 258 on the post 269. A conduit connects the cup 242 with the suction pump and a suitable valve (not shown) 1s operated by the cam 7ti' to apply suction to the cup and to release it in consonance with the movement of the 9 cup into engagement with the article on the carrier and movement of the article to a place of discharge.

The shafts 12, 6- H2, and 2'52 and the vacuum pump are driven from the motor M, referred to above, through suitable connections including reduction gears, clutches and the like, Where necessary.

it should be understood that the present disclosure is o the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall withcope of the appended claims.

it. in a machine for packaging articles, a conveyor, a plurality of carriers connected to the conveyor at uniformly spaced intervals for movement thereby, means for ei ecting movement of the conveyor intermittently to present the carriers successively to a plurality of operating stations situated lengthwise of the path of movement of the conveyor, comprising means operating to place on each carried a flat card, said card beint creased length wise and containing an opening for receiving a blister in the part at one side of the crease, means operating to insert a blister cup into the opening in the card open side up, means oper ting to apply adhesive to the marginal edges of the card at one side of the crease, means operating to fold the parts of the card at opposite sides of the crease into engagement, means operating to apply pressure to the folded parts of the card and to hold them en aged until the adhesive sets, and means operating to discharge the finished package.

2. In a machine for packaging articles, a conveyor, a plurality of carriers connected to the conveyor at uniforrnly spaced intervals for movement thereby, means for effec g movement of the conveyor intermittently to present the carriers successively to a plurality of operating stations situated lengthwise of path of movement of the conveyor, means at one of the stations for placing on each car ier card, a part of which contains an openfor reception of a blister cup, and means at the next station for applying a blister cup to the card, comprising a magazine containing cups stacked open side down, and a picker movable between the lower end of the stack and e card on the carrier subjacent thereto operating to remove the lowermost cup from the stack, invert it so that it 's open side up, and thrust it into the opening in the card.

atus according to claim 2, wherein the picker lever supported at one end for pivotal movee of its opposite end between the lower end of the magazine and the top of the carrier snbjacent thereto, a piclter foot rotatably mounted on the lever for movement therewith, means for eifecting movement of the r foot, as the lever is raised and lowered, to co -age oickcr foot with the lower side of the lowermost cop a the lever is in its raised position and to engage the blister within the o ening in the card when the lever is in its lowermost P03111011.

Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the picker comprises a lever s reported at one end for movement of its opposite end between the lower end of the magazine and the top of the carrier subjacent thereto, a picker foot otatably mounted on the lever, a pair of meshing gears on the lever, one of which is connected to the piclzer foot and the other of which has fixed to it an eccentric pin, a plate co '13 a slot Within which the eccentric pin is engaged operating to rotate the gears on the lever as the lever is In vcd up and down to reverse the position of the picker foot so that, at the upper position of the lever, the picker foot has contact with the lower side of a cup and at the lower position of the arm the cup is engaged nin the opening in the card.

5. In a machine for packaging articles, a conveyor, a olurality of ca 'ers connected to the conveyor at uniio ly spaced intervals for movement thereby, means for effecting move ent of the conveyor intermittently to present the carriers successively to a plurality of opconprises a tit crating stations situated len thwise of the path of movement of the conveyor, means at one of the stations for placing a card on the carrier subiacent thereto which has an opening therein for receiving a blister, means at a succeeding station for thrustim a preformed blister having a marginal flange through the hole in the card to engage the flange of the blister with the card, and a folding station provided with means for foldins a portion of the card into engagement with the portion containing the blister to close the open side of the blister, comprising a creasing plae overlying the path of movement or" the carriers beneath which the cards are moved, said creasing plate having an edge parallel to the edge of the carrier subjacent thereto, and a folding device pivoted f r oscillation about a horizontal axis, said device having an arm subiacent the part of the card to be folded, movable upwardly along an are which is substantially tangent to the edge oi the creasing plate and, by engagement with the card, operating to fold tie foldable part of the card over the edge of the creasing plate to a position overlying the part of the card beneath the creasing plate, and a hold-down on the folding device operating, as the latter is retracted, to hold the partially folded part of the card inclined inwardly over the creasing plate but not in contact therewith.

Apparatus for folding a card comprising a support and creasing plate for holding the card with the portion to be folded projecting therefrom, and a folding device pivoted for oscillation about a horizontal axis parallel to the edge of the creasing plate, said device having an arm proiecting horizontally ben the outwardly extending part of the card, said arm having a c surface whose radius of curvature is centered on of oscillation of the device and is tangent to the edge of the creasing plate, and means for oscillating the device first to fold the outwardly projecting part of card upwardly over the oi the creasing plate and then inwardly to an inclined position above the creasing plate.

7. Apgiaratus according to claim 6, comprising a holddown element movable with the folding device, as the latter is retra ted, to hold the inwardly folded portion of the card inclined relative to the creas' plate.

8. An ejector for removing artcles from an intermittently movable conveyor, coni ori on an arm supported above the conveyor at the desired place of removal of an article, a suction cup secured to said arm, means operating, While the conveyor is at rest, to lower the arm and hence the suction cup into engagement with the article and then raise the arm to lift the article from the carrier while the conveyor is in motion, to swing the arm outwardly to discharge tharticle and then inwardly to restore the arm to its initial position above the conveyor and means operable, when the arm is in said outwardly swung position, to release the article from the suction cup.

9. An ejector for removing articles from an intermittently operable conveyor, comprising an arm, a section cup secured to said arm, means supporting the arm for vertical movement relative to the conveyor and swinging movement from a position above the conveyor to a position laterally thereof, inc-ans yieldably holding the arm above the conveyor in a pos tion to permit an article to be moved beneath it, and age operating in timed relation to the intermittent movement of the carrier to lower the arm and suction cup into engagement with the article subjacent thereto and then it to lift the article from the carrier While the carrier is at rest and to swing the arm laterally to discharge the article and then return it to a position above the conveyor while the conveyor is in motion and means operable, on the one hand, when the suction cup is lowered into engagement with the article to produce a vacuum therein and, on the other hand, when the suction cup is swung outwardly to the discharge position to brealr tl e vacuum.

10. Apparatus according to claim 2, comprising retaining means disposed lengthwise of the conveyor parallel to the upper surfaces of the carriers in a position to have sliding contact with the marginal edges of the blisters to hold them engaged with their cards during loading of the articles to be packaged therein.

11. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said arm has a cylindrically curved undersurface tangent to the edge of the creasing plate operable to wipe the upwardly bent portion of the card inwardly above the creasing plate.

12. In a machine for packaging articles, a conveyor, a plurality of carriers connected to the conveyor at uniformly spaced intervals for movement thereby, means.

for efiecting movement of the conveyor intermittently to present the carriers successively to a plurality of operating stations situated lengthwise of the path of movement or the carrier, comprising means operating to place on each carrier, in succession, a fiat card containing an opening for receiving a blister cup, means operating to insert a blister cup into the opening in the card open side up, means operating to fold a portion of the card over the portion containing the blister to close the open side of the blister and to secure the folded portions to each other to form a package assembly, and means operating to discharge the folded package.

13. In a machine for packaging articles, a conveyor, a plurality of carriers connected to the conveyor at uniformly spaced intervals for movement thereby, means for effecting movement of the conveyor intermittently to present the carriers successively to a plurality of operating stations situated lengthwise of the path of movement of the conveyor, comprising means operating to place on each carrier a fiat card, containing an opening for receiving a blister cup, means operating to insert a blister cup into the opening in the card open side up, means operating to fold a portion of the card over the portion containing the blister to close the open side of the blister, means operating to secure the folded portions including heat activating means for rendering the contacting portions of the folded card adhesive, means for holding the contacting portions of the card engaged until the adhesion is consummated, and means for then' discharging the package.

14. In a machine for packaging articles, a conveyor, a plurality of carriers connected to the conveyor at uniformly spaced intervals for movement thereby, means for effecting movement of the conveyor intermittently to present the carriers successively to a plurality of operating stations situated lengthwise of the path of movement of the carrier, heating means for preheating the cards partially to activate the pre-coated portions thereof, means operating to fold a portion of the card over the portion containing the blister to close the open side of the blister, heat-sealing means operating to press the partially activated portions of the precoated cards into engagement and to unite the parts where pressed into engagement, and means for discharging the finished package. a

15. In a machine for packaging articles, a conveyor, a plurality of carriers connected to the conveyor at uniformly spaced intervals for movement thereby, means for effecting movement of the conveyor intermittently to present the carriers successively to a plurality of operating stations situated lengthwise of the path of movement of the conveyor, comprising means operating to place on each carrier a flat card, said card containing an opening for receiving a blister cup, means operating to insert a blister cup into the opening in the card, an oven through which the carriers move operable to render the cards partially adhesive, means operating to fold the cards, means operating to press the folded portions of the cards into engagement and to consummate activation to effect a bond between the parts, and means for discharging the package.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein radiant heat is employed to effect activation.

17. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein induction heating is employed to efiect activation.

13. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the pressure-applying means has pressure-applying surfaces constituted by lands corresponding in configuration to the coated areas of the cards.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,910,414 iftrl Rohdin 53-484 X 2,976,659 3/61 Flanagan et al. 53-237 3,016,808 1/62 Galloway 53l86 X 3,019,582 2/62 Freeman 5337l 3,075,329 1/63 Swezey et al. 53-30 X FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner.

TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Examiner. 

1. IN A MACHINE FOR PACKAGING ARTICLES, A CONVEYOR, A PLURALITY OF CARRIERS CONNECTED TO THE CONVEYOR AT UNIFORMLY SPACED INTERVALS FOR MOVEMENT THEREBY, MEANS FOR EFFECTING MOVEMENT OF THE CONVEYOR INTERMITTENTLY TO PRESENT THE CARRIERS SUCCESSIVELY TO A PLURALITY OF OPERATING STATIONS SITUATED LENGTHWISE OF THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF THE CONVEYOR, COMPRISING MEANS OPERATING TO PLACE ON EACH CARRIED A FLAT CARD, SAID CARD BEING CREASED LENGTHWISE AND CONTAINING AN OPENING FOR RECEIVING A BLISTER CUP IN THE PART AT ONE SIDE OF THE CREASE, MEANS OPERATING TO INSERT A BLISTER CUP INTO THE OPENING IN THE CARD 